Liverpool’s Lewis’s up for sale with mixed-use potential
The former department store on Ranelagh Street features 200,000 sq ft of vacant space ready to be redeveloped.
Landlord Augur Group has appointed Avison Young and Area to find a buyer for the Lewis’s Building, after plans to transform the 320,000 sq ft Liverpool asset into a mixed-use scheme faltered.
Lewis’s opened as a department store in 1856 and in recent years Augur has set about filling some of the vacant space as it pursued the creation of a scheme it branded Circus.
Today, the building is home to an 86,000 sq ft Adagio Hotel and a 27,000 sq ft basement PureGym – these leases expire in 2043 and 2032 respectively.
There is 68,000 sq ft of vacant offices, 37,000 sq ft of ground floor and basement commercial space, and 77,000 sq ft of ex-retail space for a buyer to go at.
In 2023, Augur lodged plans to transform the grade two-listed landmark into a mixed-use leisure, retail, and commercial destination. The vision was described by Colman Architects as a “department store of experiences”. An application to use the first and second floors of the former department store as a hotel is also pending.
Those plans can be viewed by searching for application numbers 23F/1997, 23L/2086, and 23F/3017 on Liverpool City Council’s planning portal.
The site is located immediately next to Liverpool Central Station, which is earmarked as the centrepiece of an 87-acre regeneration project. Work to prepare a strategic regeneration framework for the scheme is underway.
David Winterbottom, principal, capital markets at Avison Young, said: “The Lewis’s Building is an iconic cornerstone of Liverpool city centre, and we expect to see strong interest as this historic site comes to market.
“The property presents a truly unrivalled opportunity for mixed-use redevelopment, offering exceptional flexibility for a wide range of future uses. Positioned at the intersection of Liverpool’s thriving retail, office and innovation districts, the site benefits from significant planning potential across residential, leisure, commercial and cultural sectors.”
He added: “Liverpool city centre has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, driven by significant inward investment, and this landmark asset is now poised to be reimagined for the next generation, reflecting the continued regeneration and growth we’re already seeing across the wider city region.”
If Rotherams plans come to fruition this could be an interesting development.
By Liverpolitis
Another stalled project in an area of town that should be buzzing right next to a very busy underground station and bus routes.
The Adelphi hotel sets the tone, being run by an operator with a poor reputation. Meanwhile the MSCP at the bottom of Mount Pleasant should’ve been cleared years ago but the much talked about Upper Central development has never materialised.
By Anonymous
If the redevelopment of Central Station is a real possibility and not another of his mirages, perhaps Mayor Steve should look at a strategic purchase?
Partially occupied so some income coming in, space on the lower floors to tie into Central, and vacant office space last occupied by the NHS that he/LCRCA/Merseytravel could relocate into, likely saving money and freeing up the space in swanky One Mann Island for a much-needed and ideally new blue-chip employer.
By Rotringer
Lewis’s was peak retail. We didn’t know how lucky we were back then.
By Anonymous
This is a beautiful building. We don’t make like this anymore sadly. Would be great as a 5 star hotel
By John
why on Earth is this building partly vacant in 2026
By Anonymous
This needs purchasing and repurposing back into productive use.
By Anonymous
I wish we could the department store again I loved it and sad it’s gone. A piece of Liverpool s history and such a fantastic building better than maceys or Harrods . It needs to be developed synthetically and restored to its former glory. Maybe it could be apartments and a 5 star hotel the clarridges of the north. Just an idea.
By The flying banana
I loved Lewis’s it’s a fantastic building full of history. It’s sad it not being used to its full potential. It needs to be restored to its former glory. It was better than maceys or Harrods. It could be the clarridges s of the north and apartments . Don’t ruin it when it’s gets redeveloped it needs to be done synthetically .
By The flying banana
As my first place of employment on £12-26 a week.Now at the age of 86 I find it sad to see the store in such an uncertain sad state. Many happy memories looking out over epstines out stretched arms from my TV workshop windows.
By Bryan
I remember the store in its heyday it was wonderful The grotto was amazing and the Red Rose cafe on the top floor was where you went for a treat Happy days Hope some life will be breathed into the development
By Diane
It would be nice if build inside to become top end luxury hotel/apartments it absolutely perfect for prime area. 👍🏻
By G J Kitchener
Pull it down and sell for drive way gravel
By Anonymous
Not surprised at all Lewis’s has been more left empty for years now. lf l remember right the Odeon wanted to open a cinema in there. As usual the chain got fed up waiting and waiting, and waiting, they then pulled out.Hopefully now some building activity gets underway!! Fingers crossed but not sure it would do any good.
The Odeon wanted to open a cinema in there, but as usual the
By Anonymous